ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines how the term “rhetoric” is regarded in classical and in modern times. The concept of rhetoric has undergone several sea changes in the history of philosophy. The language in the context of group analysis is different to that of language used in a shop, philosophy group, or other contexts, is a different kind of discursive space. If psychoanalysis introduced the multiplicity of self, group analysis introduces the multiplicity of selves, including varying discursive locations of self, differing subject-positions, and multiple points of subjectivity. In practice, it is common for group conductors usually to maintain a “middle voice”, allowing healthy balance of contributions between members and encouraging the play of communication. The chapter explores the concept of rhetoric, both as seen in philosophy and social science, and as witnessed in the fast traffic of interaction of the therapy group. It argues that such dimensions of speech acts and voice, the compositional aspects of human dialogue, deserve greater attention.
